Barça weighs up swoop for centre-back

The Barcelona board is weighing up signing a centre-back for the coming campaign. Carles Puyol and Adriano's continuous injury setbacks have forced the club to consider bringing in a new defender for next season.

Despite the fact that the team has suffered numerous injuries to its defender this season, the coaching staff have shied away from strengthening the rearguard, but instead have done so in other areas like for the goalkeeper position and in attack – with the potential signing of Neymar.

There are currently four centre-backs in the squad: Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano and Marc Bartra. There are also four other players who can be used in the centre of defence: Alex Song, Éric Abidal, Sergio Busquets and Adriano have all played there in the past. Andreu Fontàs and Marc Muniesa are two other possible options.

With this in mind, Tito Vilanova and the club's technical secretary will weigh up the option of reinforcing the centre-back position. Mats Hummels is one player whose name has been touted, but no decision has been taken in that respect as yet.

If they decide to make a signing, they will have to make it a good one, as one only has to look back at the club's last signing in the position in question. Barça spent ¤25 million on Dmitro Chigrinsky, who was sold back to Shakhtar Donetsk the following year.